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This natural life we hold now will cease. In order to enter heaven the soul will need supernatural life which can only be received in the sacramental grace of the Sacraments. While God is not bound by His laws we can not be certain He will choose you or anyone else as an exception to them. By the way, we are our brothers keeper and it is an act of spiritual mercy to be concerned for and to instruct the ignorant.

Posted by Suzanna on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 6:56 PM (EDT):

Um, Joe DeCarlo, you really need to research your Catholic faith further. It is possible for those outside the Catholic Church to achieve eternal salvation:

“Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation. (CCC 847)”

So yeah, let’s stop worrying about who’s NOT getting into heaven, and let’s all worry about the state of our OWN soul, eh?

Here’s more information for those who really want to know what the Church teaches:
http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means

And one more thing… it’s “their faith”, not “there faith”.

Posted by Joe DeCarlo on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 2:55 PM (EDT):

Thanks, Martin. Some of these posters don’t know there faith. I was trying to tell them Jews can’t get into heaven. The bible says, those who are baptized can be saved. Those who are not baptized are condemned.

Posted by Angela Haissig on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 2:51 PM (EDT):

I mentioned to my husband how many different faiths were represented at the Inaugural Mass, rattling off the ones I recognized. “And don’t forget the atheists!” my husband exclaimed. “Atheists?” I asked with consternation. ” Joe Biden was there! So was Nancy Pelosi!” :)

Posted by Martin W. Howser on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 2:37 PM (EDT):

Cannon Law says that someone in grave sin cannot receive the Eucharist. Go to link http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/holycom/denial.htm to learn more about CANON 915:
THE DISCIPLINE REGARDING
THE DENIAL OF HOLY COMMUNION
TO THOSE OBSTINATELY PERSEVERING
IN MANIFEST GRAVE SIN

Posted by Joe DeCarlo on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 1:35 PM (EDT):

Brian, I’m sorry. I thought it was in the Catechism but, apparently it is not. I must have read it elsewhere. When I was looking for it, I found, not in the Catechism, that the American bishops said it was up to the individual bishop as to whether he wanted to give communion to an pro-Abortion Catholic politician. Again, I apologize.

Posted by Brian Abel Ragen on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 1:30 PM (EDT):

Joe, I don’t want to belabor this point, but the rule you mention is not in the section of The Catechism you mentioned before. Please give a citation.

Posted by Joe DeCarlo on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 12:06 PM (EDT):

Brain, not giving communion to Catholic officials who are pro-abortion is in the Catechism. Read it.

Posted by Brian Abel Ragen on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 11:51 AM (EDT):

Section 2089 of he Catechism of the Catholic Church, which cites the Code of Canon Law, reads: “Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. ‘Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.’” I do not see in the passage the statement that Moe DeCario says it contains. (BTW, Pope John Paul II gave communion to the then Mayor of Rome, despite his position on abortion; whether that was wise pastorally or political is a question I leave to others.)

Amen! I thought I was the only person that feels this way, the politicians should not be upfront, and some who are pro-abortion should be ex-communicated.

Posted by JMB on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 11:38 AM (EDT):

I understand that completely, Joe…and believe me, I was appalled when Biden and Pelosi received communion. However, as a friend kindly pointed to me, we must pray that they fully confessed and had a conversion of heart before receiving.

Posted by Joe DeCarlo on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 11:34 AM (EDT):

JMB, the Catechism says that a Catholic public figure who is pro-abortion cannot rec. the sacraments. It is a heresy to deny a teaching of the faith. (Catechism of the CAtholic church, 2089)

Posted by JMB on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 11:31 AM (EDT):

REmember….we do not the state of the soul or heart of person receiving communion - despite what they may have said in the.

Posted by Joe DeCarlo on Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 10:22 AM (EDT):

I have no problem with politicians sitting up front. What I do have a problem with is giving communion to Catholic public figures who are pro-abortion. The pope decided not to hand out communion to anyone, because he felt it would be an awkward position if he had to give communion to those pro-abortion politician. He could have made a great statement if he handed out communion to others but not those politicians. I’m very disappointed.

Posted by Tyler on Tuesday, Mar 19, 2013 9:44 PM (EDT):

I should say I really liked the Mass and the Homily today. I like how the Pope acknowledges the Pope Emeritus. I very much like the new Pope, but I very much miss Pope Benedict. I think his prayers are really helping the Church. It is very comforting to know the Pope Emeritus is praying for us.

Posted by Tyler on Tuesday, Mar 19, 2013 9:39 PM (EDT):

Not to be disrespectful but do you think the Vatican will ever make the dignitaries and politicians sit at the back behind the lay faithful. I don’t like seeing all those politicians sitting at the front, it just feels wrong. Do you think the politicians would ever consent to this? Or is there legitimate security/safety concerns for why they are upfront? Even off (perhaps even way off) to one side would be better, in my opinion. I hope I don’t sound too cranky. Shouldn’t the poor, the disabled, children be brought forward by the Church? Is this possible for the Church to do in a discreet manner?

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About Edward Pentin

Edward Pentin began reporting on the Pope and the Vatican with Vatican Radio before moving on to become the Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register. He has also reported on the Holy See and the Catholic Church for a number of other publications including Newsweek, Newsmax,Zenit, The Catholic Herald, and The Holy Land Review, a Franciscan publication specializing in the Church and the Middle East. Follow on Twitter @edwardpentin